Published 9:30 am, Thursday, June 28, 2012

After years of suffering, Herbert Westphal has finally been honored for his service in the Korean War.

Westphal was officially honored by Congressman Dave Camp, R-Midland, at the Houghton Lake VFW post. Camp said while the recognition was given 60 years after Westphal served, “late is better than never.”

Westphal, a Midland native, was awarded the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, a Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and a Purple Heart. He served in the U.S. Army infantry.

Westphal was lucky to make it out of the Korean War alive and back to his then girlfriend, Ruth, whom he married.

At 80 years old, Westphal is hard of hearing and prefers to have conversations with his phone on the speaker setting. He lives in Houghton Lake.

During his time in Korea, Westphal contracted hemorrhagic fever, causing him to lose more than 60 pounds and a great deal of discomfort. Due to this ailment, he was in a coma for an unknown amount of time.

Herb and Ruth corresponded while he was sick, except for a period when Herb wasn’t able to write. One letter he sent was garbled and needed to be deciphered to make sense of it. But that didn’t deter Ruth from pursuing Herb.

“I prayed for him every night because I kind of liked the looks of this guy,” Ruth joked, adding “He lost his ability to spell from the fever. The fever burned that section of his brain.”

Westphal has yet to receive compensation for his time overseas, but has initiated proceedings for remuneration.

He is only beginning to remember what he endured while serving in the war.

“I forgot about it (winning these medals) because I was sick,” he said.

Three and a half years ago, he started to remember some of the things he had previously repressed due to post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I can remember seeing dead bodies all over the road,” Herb said.

He was told his records, related to his time served, were burned in 1973, and that contributed to his never being paid or presented with his recognition.

Having been married 57 years, Ruth and Herb have learned to play off each others’ strengths. Even though he has made progress, he relies on her mind power and she relies on his physical strength.

While growing up in Midland, Herb was one of 13 children, including five who served in Korea. His brother, Martin, served at the same time as he did and was only three to four miles away, but they never saw each other.